Colonoscopy - sedation or not?

[User415373]

I have to have a colonoscopy next week. It's in the morning. The only problem is that I have an event I absolutely have to attend in the evening. It would be near home and I wouldn't need to drive there, but I just can't miss it.
I initially thought I would definitely have sedation, but now I'm worried that I'll be feeling rough later on if I do?
They've obviously said I can have gas and air if not.

I'm not really worried about pain but I realise that it might end up being very painful. I'm also worried about what I might say when I'm sedated (I don't know why I have this but I would be so embarrassed if I started going on about my personal life or something - does it have that effect or not I have no idea?)

What would you do in my situation?

I had a dominos when I got home i was starving and had no after effects

I read somewhere to put the prep in the freezer and to drink it ice cold and it was ok. Not gagging or anything.
Maybe put a towel on car seat. You should be absolutely empty by the time you go but just in case.

Take the sedation.

I got some excellent advice on here about getting the prep down. Make it up with water and put it in the fridge.

Try drinking with a straw, small sips, large sips, alternating with a soft drink.

I still only managed half on my first one, so I had an 'extended' prep that takes a week.

Get some wet wipe type toilet paper.

Make sure you wipe carefully, I ended up with a UTI which I think was due to me not wiping as well as I should have.

Good luck, I'm having an endoscopy this afternoon so I will be thinking about you.

I didn't have sedation as lift home fell through last minute due to emergency. No problem whatsoever, no discomfort and fascinating to lok at my insides on the screen. Others in the recover room did seem out of it.

Take the sedation - I did it without and I found it traumatising. I do have a very long and twisty bowel apparently but still it was awful. (and I have a very high tolerance to these things).

I had one 10 days ago with sedation. It was an afternoon procedure - about 2.15 pm and I left hospital at 4.30 pm. I was a bit tired that evening but I hadn’t slept that well beforehand which didn’t help.

The prep was absolutely fine for me. I’d had the “right” food beforehand and I drink a lot of liquid anyway. Clearly you’ll be in the bathroom more than usual but you’re not ill so don’t feel bad with it. Make sure you drink water as well as the solution as that needs to be pulled through as well to empty everything.

I had a hysteroscopy (?) with sedation and was fine a couple of hours later - it’s much lighter than a general anaesthetic but enough to do what’s needed.

Yes!

I had the sedation. I didn’t in any way feel sedated to the point I was doubtful they’d actually administered it. That said I also didn’t feel a thing so maybe it did work. I was absolutely fine afterwards and went to the cinema with my kids

would recommend sedation. You may have a loopy bowel. You don’t know until you have a colonoscopy. There is no way I would have been planning to go out the same day. You need rest afterwards.

I wasn't sedated for mine but it wasn't that bad.

I had a colonoscopy a few years ago and opted for no sedation. I reckoned if I can give birth twice without any pain relief then I could cope with no sedation. They had gas and air handy in case I needed it,but I coped ok without it. I felt slight discomfort if the scope was going round a corner, but no pain.I watched it on the screen and tried to concentrate on my breathing.

Definitely sedation, they told me it’s not like being knocked out it’s more like you don’t remember it, which is kinda true. Was definitely fine after a short snooze to be taken home, just have a restful day until you need to go out don’t drive and get someone to go with you if you can. Don’t underestimate the strength and suddenness of the prep, definitely don’t make plans to go out once you’ve started taking that.

This thread is showing that people react very differently, are offered different sedations and pain relief and recover differently afterwards.

This is also an excellent point i had mine twice without sedation no issues but I think im lucky in the shape of my bowel and I assume thats the same for everyone on here who had it done without sedation or gas and air and been fine. But until you've had your first one you won't know this.

Huge range of experiences here. The colorectal nurse called me yesterday and I opted for the sedation. I've started the diet which is making me me feel rubbish (blood sugar highs and crashes, also causing headaches). I'm feeling very off, nausea, stomach pain and back pain. I'm hoping this is all anxiety/diet related and not symptoms of something sinister.
I start the prep on Friday pm (as soon as my husband's gets in from work and takes over the kids). I'm planning on just staying very near the bathroom and hoping my children aren't feeling too needy (they are only 3 and 2 though and generally stay within a metre of me at all times 🙃).

I've always ate normally until starting the prep and always been complimented on having a clean colon. You don't need to make yourself ill for a whole week before

Oh that's interesting! They have told me several times how important the diet is and given me umpteen leaflets and an example meal plan. Perhaps I'm taking it all too seriously!

The diet for a week is known as 'extended prep' and is different to the day before prep. It's 'low residue' diet.

OP please stick to what the HCPs have told you. I've done both preps, for me the extended prep is the better option.

Sedation sedation always sedation. I've had approx 12 colonoscopies, ALWAYS SEDATION🤣

I mean I'm loving all the crumpets and bagels and cream cheese but I am missing salad and crunchy veg (never thought I'd say that!)

I've had loads, you'll be fine! Definitely get the sedation, it's lovely 😂 You might feel a bit droopy for a couple of hours afterwards but you'll be ok by the evening.

Also haven't read the whole thread but a tip to get the truly vile prep liquid down you is to drink it through a straw as fast as possible. It does help a bit. Honestly drinking that stuff is way worse than the actual procedure!

The best bit is afterwards you're on a lovely floaty sedation cloud and the nurse tucks you into bed and brings you a cup of tea and a biscuit. Dreamy.

Don’t forget nappy cream (containing zinc..!) for the clean prep bit

A quick question - what should I wear? The letter says to take a dressing gown and slippers (of which I own neither).
I live in jeans and don't own joggers or anything. The loosest thing I own is a pair of elasticated wide legs trousers I wear for work but they look a little formal! Will jeans be ok?
I take it I change into a gown (presumably why I need a dressing gown as well) - do I need to take my bra and socks off too?